Symptoms of Unbalanced Tires & What You Need to Do

Have you ever been on a highway and felt your steering wheels vibrating? That’s probably a sign that your tires are not well-balanced.

In my years of driving, I’ve found that this is one of those symptoms you think you can just “wish away”. In fact, the very first time I had this experience, I was hoping it was gonna go away after covering some distance. But of course, it didn’t.

Beyond steering wheel vibration, there are a number of other symptoms of unbalanced tires; and I’ll explain them in detail in this post.

But first, you need to understand what it means to have “unbalanced tires”, and why this happens.

What is an Unbalanced Tire?

An unbalanced tire is one that has an uneven distribution of weight around its circumference. When a tire is not balanced, it can’t rotate evenly, and this is bound to lead to a lot of problems while driving.

Driving with unbalanced tires is like running with a limp; you’ll get to your destination, but it won’t be comfortable or efficient. The uneven weight distribution can cause an uncomfortable ride and of course, this puts you in a dangerous situation because you might struggle to effectively control the car in certain situations.

This imbalance affects your car’s performance, from reduced fuel efficiency to increased strain on your vehicle’s suspension. And, if you’ve invested in a set of high-quality tires, you certainly don’t want to ruin them prematurely because of something that can easily be fixed.

Reasons Why Tires Become Unbalanced

1. Wear and Tear

First, let’s talk about wear and tear. Your tires are like the soles of your shoes; over time, they wear down. But your tires need to be as uniform as possible to function correctly.

Over time, your tires are bound to start wearing off. This is normal due to friction between the tire and the road while driving.

However, if the degree of wear is more on a particular part of a tire, this would result in an uneven distribution of the weight of the tire and make it unbalanced.

2. Potholes and Rough Road Conditions

Potholes are the bane of drivers everywhere! A single nasty encounter with a pothole can jolt your tire out of balance and can even cause tire bulge.

And let’s not forget other rough road conditions like gravel, bumps, or even those sneaky curbs you barely see while making a tight U-turn. These can all lead to an unbalanced tire.

3. Incorrect Previous Balancing

Now, here’s where human error comes into play. Maybe the last time you got your tires balanced, the job wasn’t done correctly. It happens to the best of us. However, incorrect balancing can cause an imbalance to persist or even worsen over time, leading to all the issues we’ve been discussing.

4. Natural Degradation Over Time

Lastly, nothing lasts forever. Over time, the materials in your tires naturally degrade, leading to an uneven distribution of weight. This is a gradual process, but it’s inevitable, much like aging.

Common Symptoms of Unbalanced Tires

1. Vibration

One of the most noticeable symptoms of unbalanced tires is a persistent vibration, especially when you hit those higher speeds on the freeway. The vibrations might start in your seat or steering wheel and can become more intense the faster you go.

2. Uneven Tire Wear

If you notice that certain parts of your tires are wearing down faster than others, that’s a red flag. Uneven tire wear clearly indicates that your tire’s weight distribution is off. Don’t ignore this; it can lead to bigger issues down the line.

3. Reduced Fuel Efficiency

Ever feel like you’re burning through your tank a little quicker than you should be? Believe it or not, unbalanced tires can be the culprit. They can create increased resistance, making your engine work harder and burn more fuel.

4. Poor Handling and Control

Handling your car can feel like wrestling a bear when your tires aren’t balanced. Your car may become less responsive and harder to steer, and you might find yourself overcompensating to keep the vehicle on course, particularly in bad weather conditions.

5. Steering Issues

Speaking of steering, if you find that your steering wheel is heavier than usual or doesn’t return smoothly to its central position after making a turn, that’s another sign you might be dealing with unbalanced tires.

6. Increased Wear on Suspension

Your car’s suspension system is like the cushion that smooths out all those bumps and jolts on the road. But when your tires are unbalanced, your suspension has to work overtime, leading to faster wear and tear. You don’t want to ignore this, trust me.

7. Strange Noises

Hearing any odd noises, like humming or buzzing, when driving? These sounds can often be traced back to unbalanced tires, especially if the noise intensifies with speed.

8. Vehicle Pulling

If your car seems to have a mind of its own and pulls to one side, unbalanced tires could be the reason. But keep in mind, this can also be a sign of other issues like wheel misalignment or uneven tire pressure.

9. Problems with Bearings and Bad Shocks

An often-overlooked symptom is the effect of unbalanced tires on your wheel bearings and shocks. If you find you’re replacing these components more often than you should, it might be time to check your tire balance.

In fact, I highly recommend that you carry out wheel balancing whenever you loosen your tires to carry out any major fix or maintenance such as changing shocks, bearings, linkages, and so on.

Dangers of Ignoring Unbalanced Tires

1. Long-Term Damage to the Car

Think of unbalanced tires as that small leak in your roof. Sure, a little water might not seem like a big deal initially, but over time, the damage accumulates, and eventually, you’ve got a full-blown problem on your hands.

Unbalanced tires can contribute to premature wear on your vehicle’s suspension and steering systems. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself shelling out money for repairs that could have been easily avoided.

2. Reduced Safety While Driving

Safety should be your number one concern. Unbalanced tires compromise your car’s stability, control, and ability to brake effectively.

All these issues exponentially increase the risk of an accident. It’s not just about you. Driving a car with unbalanced tires puts everyone on the road at risk.

3. Increased Operational Costs

When your tires are unbalanced, your car’s fuel efficiency goes down. You’ll find yourself at the gas station more often, and that adds up.

Plus, the uneven wear on your tires means you’ll have to replace them sooner than expected, and high-quality tires aren’t cheap. Add potential repair costs to the mix, and you’re looking at an expensive ordeal.

How to Diagnose Unbalanced Tires

1. Professional Inspection

This is top of the list for a reason. Consulting a tire technician the moment you start experiencing any of the symptoms I mentioned above is a surefire way to carry out an accurate diagnosis, and more importantly, save time especially if DIY isn’t your thing.

2. DIY Methods

Now, if you want to give it a go yourself, there are a few tests you can run. Just remember, while these can indicate a problem, they won’t replace a professional diagnosis;

Run a Coin Test for Tire Wear

This one’s straightforward. Take a coin and insert it into your tire’s tread with the head facing down. If you can see the top of the head, your tire’s tread is worn down, possibly unevenly. While this won’t directly indicate an imbalance, uneven wear is often a symptom of unbalanced tires.

Run a Water Test for Imbalances

For this test, you’ll need a large enough shallow pan of water to fit your tire. Loosen your tires and roll them one at a time through the water and then, roll them over a dry surface. Look at the wet imprint. If you spot any inconsistent imprints, then you might be dealing with an unbalanced tire.

Observe Vehicle Behavior at Different Speeds

Sometimes the diagnosis can be as simple as paying close attention to how your vehicle behaves. Drive at varying speeds on a smooth, flat road. If you notice vibrations or other issues like pulling or strange noises at certain speeds, that’s a clue you might have an imbalance.

How to Fix Unbalanced Tires

1. Professional Tire Balancing

So, what can you expect when you go in for a professional tire balancing service? Well, a tire technician would typically use an electric wheel balancer that spins your tires at high speeds to determine where the imbalances are.

Once that’s done, they’ll attach small weights to the rim or the tire itself to counterbalance those imbalances. This is a quick, precise, and the most reliable way to ensure your tires are as balanced as possible.

2. DIY Solutions

If you’re insistent on the DIY route, there are balancing beads or liquids you can insert into your tires to try to balance them out. However, these solutions are less precise, not to mention that you could end up making the problem worse if done incorrectly.

3. Prioritize Regular Check-Ups

You’ve got your tires balanced, but the work doesn’t end there. You’ll encounter more potholes and more bumps, and your tires will continue to wear down naturally.

That’s why regular check-ups are so important. I recommend getting your tire balance checked every 6,000 – 8,000 miles or sooner if you’re experiencing symptoms of unbalanced tires.

How to Avoid Having Unbalanced Tires

1. Rotate Your Tires Regularly

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent tire imbalance is by rotating your tires regularly. This helps even out the wear and tear, giving you a smoother and safer ride.

The general recommendation is to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or every 6 months. However, it’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s manual to see if there are guidelines that are specific to your vehicle.

2. Carry Out Periodic Inspections

Make it a habit to inspect your tires every month. Look for uneven wear patterns, check the tread depth, and keep an eye out for any visible damage like cuts or punctures. If anything looks off, don’t hesitate to get it professionally checked.

3. Avoid Overloading the Vehicle

You’d be surprised how often you overload your car without even knowing it. Overloading puts additional stress on your tires and can worsen any existing imbalances.

Every vehicle has a limit to the amount of weight it can carry. You’ll need to consult your owner’s manual to know what your vehicle’s weight limit is.

Conclusion

Balanced tires aren’t just an optional luxury; they’re a necessity for safe and efficient driving. Ignoring the symptoms of unbalanced tires such as vibrations, uneven tire wear, reduced fuel efficiency, poor handling, steering issues, increased wear on suspension, strange noises, and vehicle pulling can lead to long-term damage to your vehicle, reduced safety, and needless expenses.

But the good news is that keeping your tires balanced is straightforward, especially if you follow the preventive measures I’ve discussed.

So, don’t take any chances; get those tires checked and balanced regularly. It’s a small step that goes a long way in ensuring a smooth ride and peace of mind on the road.